Microsoft has provided a workable solution for Windows 10 and 11 users who have noticed their Start menu has become unresponsive and that some applications will not open or work properly.
At the heart of the problem, users discover that not only is the Start menu unresponsive, but also Windows Search and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps do not function properly. Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 21H2 are affected, as are Windows 10 versions 22H2, 21H2, and 20H2.
As a temporary fix, Microsoft advises users to uninstall misbehaving apps that integrate with Windows, Office, Outlook, or Outlook calendar, as well as check for updates to affected software or guidance from the developers of those apps.
Microsoft was also particular about uninstalling ClickShare, an app used to wirelessly share the screen of a laptop or mobile device via an audiovisual system in a meeting or office room. This is because when a third-party process, such as ClickShare, uses Office APIs on a computer where Office is installed via Office ClickToRun, users will encounter issues.
Microsoft blamed damaged registry keys for the issue. It says, “Affected Windows devices might have damaged registry keys or data which might affect apps using Microsoft Office APIs to integrate with Windows, Microsoft Office, or Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Calendar.”
The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.